Caitlin McFarland and Emily Gibson were longtime friends before starting ATX TV Festival. | Photo by Maggie Boyd
Your favorite television shows aren’t just for bingeing. They spark conversations between strangers on airplanes, provide solace after a long day, and serve as portals to new worlds and perspectives.
For Caitlin McFarland and Emily Gibson, co-founders and co-presidents of ATX TV Festival, television is a way to bring people together.
Over the last 14 years, the Texas natives have built an inclusive community where fans, creators, and celebrities unite over a shared love of episodic storytelling in Downtown Austin.
You never know who you might see at ATX TV Festival — expect more programming announcements in the coming weeks.
Photo by Michael Mullenix
As they gear up for Season 14 — running Thursday, May 29 through Sunday, June 1 — we sat down with the duo to chat about the fest’s origins, growth, and what’s in store for 2025.
Valentine’s Lunch | 12-1 p.m. | Old Bakery and Emporium | Cost of purchase | Food truck iPanini will debut in the courtyard with a lunchtime celebration and live music by Austin local Javier Jara.
TIKI Week | Now-Sunday, Feb. 23 | 5-10 p.m. | Multiple locations | Cost of purchase | Suerte, Este, and Bar Toti will team up to serve tiki-inspired cocktails, and the first 50 folks to try all six drinks will win a limited edition t-shirt.
Saturday, Feb. 15
Lunar New Year Celebration + Beer Release | 12 p.m. | Meanwhile Brewing Co. | Cost of purchase | In collaboration with Kaiju Cut & Sew, this party at the brewery will feature a vendor market, a summit lion dance, and a new brew to sip while you celebrate.
DoomForge Day 2025 | 1 p.m. | Jester King Brewery | Cost of purchase | Expect live metal music, screen printing, forging, tattooing, and plenty of beer at the seventh annual event.
Hard Tango | 7:30-11 p.m. | Assembly Hall | $45+ | This romantic evening is filled to the brim with activities: speed dating, chocolate tasting, wine + cocktails, and music by GRAMMY Award-nominated composer JP Jofre.
Frida Friday Market | 12-4 p.m. | St. Elmo Brewing Company - Springdale | Cost of purchase | Shop a vendor market, listen to live music, make your own art, and dig into eats from Pueblo Viejo + Spicy Boys.
Brownie Batter Dream is a first-of-its-kind nighttime blend for better sleep, now available hemp-free. | Photo by Beam Organics
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It’s now illegal to park in a bike lane in Austin. Violators will be ticketed + fined up to $300, thanks to a new rule approved by Austin City Council yesterday. Officials said the change will be rolled out over the next three months with added street signs and community education. (KUT)
Festival
Willie Nelson. Charley Crockett. Julien Baker. Aly & AJ. These are a few musicians set to perform at the 2025 Luck Reunion, which returns to Luck Ranch on Thursday, March 13. See the full lineup and subscribe to the mailing list for a chance to win tickets through the “Lucky Draw.”
Announced
The NFL invited 14 Texas Longhorns to the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, taking place Thursday, Feb. 27-Sunday, March 2 in Indianapolis. Last year, 11 Longhorns were asked to participate and all of them were selected in the 2024 NFL Draft, a record-breaking number for the football program. (KVUE)
Development
Between the I-35 Capital Express Project, the Austin Convention Center redevelopment, and the 6th Street revitalization, change is coming to Downtown Austin. Yesterday, Austin City Council approved a resolution to implement the Downtown Austin Strategic Initiative, creating a new framework for identifying and funding transformative projects.
Trending
The Rizzler is in town. The young TikTok star ate dinner at Home Slice Pizza this week and shared the experience in an Instagram reel, saying the pizza joint is “rizz-approved.”
Today Is
Valentine’s Day. Need a last-minute gift? Here’s where to shop locally for flowers, sweets, and cards. Psst — if you’ve found yourself without a dinner reservation, check out these wonderful restaurants that don’t require one.
Listen
Spurs Week kicks off on Sunday, Feb. 16 in Austin and you’re invited. Get the biggest stories every day from the local experts of the San Antonio Spurs with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
Sports
Get ready, Austin. Next week, the world’s top volleyball talent hits the court as LOVB Austin hosts three electrifying matchups, starting Wednesday, Feb. 19. Catch Olympians + former National Champions in action during the LOVB Austin vs. LOVB Houston showdown. Secure tickets to witness these thrilling matches.*
Health
Feel like your vision benefits are leaving you in the dark? Brighten things up with VSP® Individual Vision Plans, starting as low as $13 a month.*
Category
Real Estate
🔑 New lease on life
Dive into the local leasing data from Unlock MLS. | Photo via Tour Factory Photography / Compass
Is your lease almost up? A new monthly report from Unlock MLS just dropped, providing fresh insights for renters in the Austin metro.
Use these January 2025 figures on single-family rental homes, condos, and townhomes to understand Austin’s current leasing market landscape.
Note: this data does not include apartments.
The median rent was $2,195, down 1.3% from January 2024.
1,871 leases were closed in January, up 11.7% from last year.
2,425 new leases hit the market, a 10.7% spike from the same time last year.
Active leases jumped 8% year-over-year, with a total of 4,246 rentals available last month.
Leases spent an average of 69 days on the market — nine days more than leases in January 2024.
$3.51 million. That’s last month’s total volume in lease dollars, up 4.8% from the previous year.
It’s Valentine’s Day and Friday… a combo that won’t happen again for another six years. Why not treat yourself for the occasion? We’ve got five picks we think you’ll love.
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